System and method for utilizing jerseys with actuated illumination devices

ABSTRACT

A system and method is provided whereby a user selectively actuates one or more illumination devices that are incorporated on the jersey of a wearer.

INDEX TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of, and claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/767,707 filed Feb. 21, 2013 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a system having at least one unit for use in increasing a team sport player's peripheral vision and awareness of other teammates.

In one embodiment, the system jerseys each with an attached wireless receiver and an illumination device. In one embodiment, the illumination device is a system with two LED light strips, along with a 5 button remote for controlling the lights of each jersey independently. An operator, typically a coach, identifies a player he wants to “light up” and presses the corresponding button on the remote. Once pressed the players jersey light strips light up, allowing other players to easily identify them. The goal of the product is that by lighting up a players jersey the coach can easily draw attention to that player, allowing a play to be learned easier as well as helping in identifying “open” players to pass to.

Additional jerseys can be added to the system, as needed depending on team size.

Current systems are not efficient and are formed primarily of articles such as blinder glasses do not allow for normal vision, by blocking what is right in front of you. Other competitive products work for training an individual player, but not for the whole team at once.

In one embodiment, the present invention is a system for remotely illuminating jerseys, said system comprising:

a jersey having at least one illuminating device; a wireless receiver operatively associated with said illuminating device; a transmitter operatively associated with said receiver, said transmitter constructed and arranged for actuating and deactivating said illumination device.

In one embodiment, a plurality of jerseys are utilized simultaneously and the transmitter is constructed and arranged to selectively actuate a particular illumination device.

In one embodiment, the transmitter is constructed and arranged to selectively and simultaneously actuate more than one particular illumination device.

The present invention also includes a method of training, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a system of claim 1; placing at least on jersey on a first person; providing the transmitter to a second person; actuating the transmitter, whereby said actuation illuminates at least one light emanating member.

The method includes configuring the transmitter to selectively actuate at least one system from a provided plurality of light jersey systems.

Additionally, in one embodiment, the method includes configuring the transmitter to selectively actuate at least one system from a provided plurality of light jersey systems, said configuration including selecting on demand multiple systems to actuate and deactivate in succession.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view demonstrating arrangement of various components in one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the controller and light to creating members according to one embodiment the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a single light-emanating member according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the control box of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment demonstrating connection of a light member to a control box connector.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the control box of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a separated view of components of one embodiment of the control box of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the control box of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The disclosure herein below is but one embodiment of the components in the system of the present invention.

As generally understood, the present invention includes a system 10 in which light components are incorporated onto an article of clothing. In one embodiment, a jersey 14 has affixed thereto a control box 18 constructed and arranged to actuate at least one light-emanating member 16. The light emanating member 16 according to the present invention includes but is not limited to a flexible light tube, flexible light pipe, electrical light emanating device, and combinations thereof. Light emanating member 16 is connected to control box 18 utilizing control box connector 40. In one embodiment, a fabric light 20 has a light strip connector 22 with a connection port 68 that is constructed and arranged to mate with connector 40 of controller 18. In another embodiment, light pipe 64 is contained in housing 62 and utilized in the present invention.

In one configuration, system 24 being a controller is formed of a container having an upper housing 26 and a lower housing 32. This system has a front plate 42 with a manual actuator 44 accessible thereon. Connector 40 has a positive lead 76 and a ground lead 78 as is known in the art. The configuration further includes a battery holder 28 configured to hold battery 30 therein and is accessible through battery door 34. A printed circuit board (PCB) is configured to actuate the lights of the present invention and otherwise control all electronic components.

In one embodiment of the present invention, controller 46 is configured with and upper housing 50 and lower housing 58 whereby keypad 52 controls the components of the present invention and indicia plate 48 provides a user with instruction relating to various configurations for operating the present invention.

In one embodiment the present invention, the system is controlled by direct actuation such as those demonstrated in FIGS. 6 and 8. In another embodiment of the present invention a wireless remote controller 46 selectively actuates one or more light emitting members of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the remote housing of the present invention is a 5-button ABS remote. One such remote is commercially available and manufactured by Polycase® (Avon, Ohio—part # FB-45). The case features a molded in key ring and easy snap together design.

In one embodiment, the battery is a standard 3V Lithium CR2032 coin cell @ 200 mAh. This battery is meant to be replaced when needed. The PCB inside the remote is a custom PCB. The PCB has all SMT components consisting of a battery holder, tactile buttons, 433 Mhz RF transmitter, antenna, and encoder.

In an embodiment including wireless activation, the control box PCB is configured with a wireless receiver. The receiver, in one embodiment, is a case manufactured by Hammond Manufacturing part 1593S. The PCB is configured to control all of an antenna, decoder, PIC controller, relay, and regulator. In one embodiment, a setup allows for 5 different channels (more available if needed).

A press of the button will turn the unit back on. The receiver is housed in a pocket on the jersey that sits in between the shoulder blades on the back of the jersey. This prevents the unit from getting in the players way as well as providing an easy route for the LED strips to go up and over the shoulders.

In one embodiment, an SE-WFLS-x60, silicone coated LED light strip was chosen due to its low power consumption, high luminosity, and flexibility. SE-WFLS-x60 series silicone encased waterproof flexible light strip with 60 high power SMD LEDs. 1 meter (39 inch long) waterproof flexible light strips, can be cut into 3-LED segments. 3.5 inch connectors are on both ends for end-to-end connection. 12VDC operation.

The present invention is used with any article of clothing. In one embodiment, jersey 14 is configured according to the system of the present invention. In one embodiment, a desired material is moisture wicking material. This material is cut and sewn into a standard jersey. A pocket is then added to the back of the jersey with an opening secured closed with a faster such as a hook and loop fastener (typically sold as Velcro®).

The operator slides the receiver box into a pocket with the button and LED connectors facing up towards their head. Sleeves are sewn onto Velcro for attaching to the shirt, with the other piece of Velcro sewn directly to the jersey. The LED light strips are slid into the sleeves, connected to the receiver box and attached to the shirt. The sleeves are removable for washing of the jersey.

In one contemplated embodiment of the present invention a first person will wear an article of clothing incorporating the system of the present invention and a second person will operate a controller to remotely actuate lights on the system of the present invention. The second person will illuminate the lights of the present invention as desired for example in an athletic training setting particularized jerseys can have their lights illuminated at desired time points relating to the training. As one nonlimiting example, training of a football quarterback includes passing on demand to a particular receiver selected by the second person and wearing an illuminated Jersey.

While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A system for remotely illuminating jerseys, said system comprising: a jersey having at least one illuminating device; a wireless receiver operatively associated with said illuminating device; a transmitter operatively associated with said receiver, said transmitter constructed and arranged for actuating and deactivating said illumination device.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of jerseys are utilized simultaneously.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein said transmitter is constructed and arranged to selectively actuates a particular illumination device.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said transmitter is constructed and arranged to selectively and simultaneously actuate more than one particular illumination device.
 5. A method of training, said method comprising the steps of: providing a system of claim 1; placing at least on jersey on a first person; providing the transmitter to a second person; actuating the transmitter, whereby said actuation illuminates at least one light emanating member.
 6. The method of claim 5 further including configuring the transmitter to selectively actuate at least one system from a provided plurality of light jersey systems.
 7. The method of claim 5 further including configuring the transmitter to selectively actuate at least one system from a provided plurality of light jersey systems, said configuration including selecting on demand multiple systems to actuate and deactivate in succession. 